San Siro fell quiet as Benfica found the clinical edge AC Milan lacked, while Enzo Le Fée delivered a European night Sunderland had waited more than half a century to celebrate.
Benfica punish Milan at San Siro in Europa League opener
Benfica won 2-0 away to AC Milan on Wednesday in one of the standout fixtures of the opening matchday of the Europa League league phase, extending their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
Milan carried more threat for much of the evening but failed to turn their 15 attempts into goals. Only four of those efforts tested Benfica’s goalkeeper, and the visitors made their limited openings count.
Dodi Lukebakio put Benfica ahead in the 16th minute with a precise shot from outside the box. Jakub Kaminski added the second later in the match, beating Mike Maignan from close range. The Milan goalkeeper was not considered at fault for either goal.
The result was Ruben Amorim’s first defeat as Milan coach. His Serie A start had brought two wins and two draws from four games.
Le Fée gives Sunderland a long-awaited European win
At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland marked their first European fixture since 1973 with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar.
Former Lorient and Rennes midfielder Enzo Le Fée decided the contest from the penalty spot after winning the spot-kick himself. Brian Brobbey had an opportunity to seal the result in the 90th minute, but Sunderland held on without needing a second goal.
The Black Cats’ victory ended a 53-year wait for a European success, their previous one having come against Sporting Portugal in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Leverkusen and Olympiakos also open with victories
Bayer Leverkusen claimed a controlled 2-0 win against Celje. An own goal gave the German side a 15th-minute lead before Facundo Medina, formerly of Marseille, struck a fine volley in the 74th minute.
Olympiakos had to work considerably harder to beat Jagiellonia 2-1. The Greek side eventually completed their comeback with the decisive goal arriving in the 84th minute.
Elsewhere, Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb shared a goalless draw.
Europa League results
- AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
- Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Celje
- Olympiakos 2-1 Jagiellonia
- Hapoel Beer-Sheva 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb
SEO Title: Benfica win at Milan as Enzo Le Fée makes Sunderland history
SEO Description: Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro, while Enzo Le Fée fired Sunderland to their first European win in 53 years against AZ Alkmaar.
